Alarm ringing…
A boy wakes up, starts getting ready, prepares himself, and moves toward an isolated location. Nothing is around — no humans, no monsters, no animals, no living beings. The weather is sunny and the environment is peaceful, but there is pressure of dungeon energy in the air. He starts moving toward the energy source. A man in trousers and a shirt is standing near the gate.
"Hey Austin, finally you are here," Lucus said.
"Hello Lucus, and who is she?" I pointed toward a girl in formal dressing. "Who is she?"
"Hello sir, I am Maya. I am here because Henry ordered me. I am from the guild's special branch. I am here because the evil cult Fallen Moon usually makes their move in B-rank raids or above B-rank. I am here to keep an eye on your security."
"Thanks for your assistance," I replied calmly.
"Kid, should we start moving?" Lucus asked.
I nodded and we started moving toward the dungeon. Soon, we were standing in a forest near a lake. It was snowing and everything looked peaceful.
We started moving and saw different monsters running toward us.
I prepared myself and used Shadow Slash. I killed dozens of them, but the remaining monsters were still rushing toward us. I used Shadow Grabbing and then Shadow Spikes, and almost every monster was killed.
One monster tried to run in another direction. I shot a Dark Mana Bullet. It pierced through his heart, and with a loud bang, his body fell on the ground.
"Well done, kid. Did you notice something?" Lucus said. "They were all running here even though you were killing them."
"Yes, I noticed. It looks like there is something more dangerous," I pointed in the direction from where they were running.
We both started moving toward the center of the forest.
Something was unusual.
This place was too quiet.
Suddenly, Lucus grabbed my shoulder and pulled me into a bush.
I saw several people in red hoods standing in a circle. Between them, a boss monster was lying severely injured.
Suddenly, a person appeared holding another man in chains.
They started chanting something.
Then they cut the chained man's head.
Lucus's expression darkened.
"Austin, we have to stop them—"
"Oh look, two beautiful humans. Are you going to stop them?"
A mocking voice echoed.
A girl in a black and red dress appeared, holding blades in her hands. She stared at us while the chanting grew louder.
"Austin, stop them. I will take care of her," Lucus pushed me forward.
Lucus summoned his spear and attacked her, but in an instant the lady jumped onto a tree. Lucus also jumped and both of them started clashing.
I started moving toward the cult members, but I noticed something.
As soon as the blood of the boss monster and the human head mixed, it started emitting a strange aura. A face began to emerge from the human head.
I realized I didn't have much time.
They were trying to summon something.
I instantly used Shadow Teleportation, and in the next second I was behind a cult member. I stabbed him in the chest.
I felt awkward.
It was my first time attacking a human.
But I didn't have time to think.
I could clearly hear weapon clashes behind me. Lucus was still fighting. His opponent was also an A-rank or higher hunter.
I used Sword Slash and many cult members died instantly.
I used Shadow Spikes and they all died.
I turned toward Lucus.
Suddenly, I sensed something that shook me.
I looked toward the circle.
All the blood started gathering in one place.
I moved forward to attack.
"You think you can stop me?"
Suddenly the boss monster started growling. His eyes were white.
He was dead.
But something was controlling him.
A heavy pressure released from his body and I was thrown back.
I attacked him, but my attacks were not working.
He advanced.
He was no longer a B-rank monster.
I started using Mana Bullets and he started taking damage.
I looked toward Lucus.
Lucus's spear was pierced into the stomach of the lady. She was hanging in the air, and the spear was stuck in a tree.
Lucus was injured.
He was panting.
His clothes were torn apart, blood was dripping, there was a cut on his cheek and several wounds on his hands and back.
I rushed toward him and gave him an elixir.
He started healing.
The undead monster started following me.
I took out my sword and used Shadow Slash, but he healed instantly.
I jumped on trees and used Shadow Grabbing and attacked him, but he healed again.
I activated Shadow Domain.
A black domain covered the entire area.
Shadows started emerging from the ground.
Shadow spikes attacked him.
Shadow balls fired deep strikes into his body.
His core became visible.
I dashed forward and attacked his crystal.
It shattered.
The monster fell to the ground.
I leveled up.
The system panel congratulated me for reaching Level 26.
A new skill unlocked.
Shadow Control
Before I could read its description, a laugh filled the space.
Everything froze.
A girl holding a skull in her hand emerged from the sacrificed bodies.
At the same time, Lucus stepped forward and tightened his grip on his spear.
We both attacked her.
But in the next second, I was thrown to the ground.
"You lowly ants think you can touch me? This is only a fragment of my power, but it is still stronger than both of you. I am Mole."
She started moving toward us.
I activated my domain again as the cooldown ended.
Shadows grabbed her.
I created mana bullets.
Shadow spikes attacked.
Lucus charged forward.
I took out my daggers and a strange power spread through them.
Mole was shocked.
She lost focus.
Shadow spikes pierced her body.
Mana bullets made holes.
Lucus's spear pierced her chest.
But the damage was low.
Her skin was too hard to penetrate.
I used Dark Shadow Slash with my daggers.
In an instant, her head fell from her body.
"So you are back… that means others are coming too. You are lucky you encountered me at this stage. Next time, I will show you my true power."
She smiled and her body dissolved.
Lucus and I lay on the ground, thinking about this creature.
We both knew that if she had not lost focus, we might have died.
Lucus looked at me.
He was thinking about her words.
But he remained silent.
We started moving toward the exit.
When we reached there, Maya was standing with other guild members.
"Sir, finally you came out," she said with tension on her face.
We asked her what happened.
She explained that when we entered the dungeon, the portal advanced to A-rank. Then a barrier appeared near the gate and evil aura started spreading. The portal rank increased to mid-tier A-rank.
"Lucus and Austin, please come with me," a familiar voice said.
It was Rohle.
After ten minutes, we were in the Hunters Guild.
Henry asked what happened inside the dungeon.
Lucus explained everything — the cult, the undead boss monster, and Mole.
Hearing Mole's name, Henry's eyes narrowed.
He told us to rest and congratulated me on my achievement.
He asked if I wanted to take the awakening test again.
I said yes, but not now, and left.
I started walking toward a park near the guild.
"So she now knows we have Austin, and he holds that power," a man said to a hologram.
"We don't have much time. Soon others will know. Have you found him?"
"Yes, I found another one. He is from Pakistan," a blurry picture appeared.
"Tomorrow he will arrive here," Snow said.
— End of Chapter 9 —
© 2026 Void. All Rights Reserved.